A host of new cities join prestigeous UNESCO list

Irina Bokova, Director-General of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has
announced that four new cities will join the Creative Cities
Network. The network was set up to connect cities who want to share
experiences, ideas and best practices for cultural, social and
economic development.

Dublin was acknowledged as 'City of Literature' for its "lively
contemporary literary environment" and world-recognised
writers.

Icheon, South Korea, was recognised as 'City of Crafts and
Folk Arts', UNESCO says the city has "managed to successfully blend
culture, crafts and tourism with the main objective of preserving
the traditional crafts in harmony with the contemporary crafts
industry."

Östersund in Sweden has been designated as 'City of
Gastronomy'. UNESCO said: "The city's support to gastronomic
entrepreneurs and farmers through guidance, training support and
product development is admirable and the resulting culinary
traditions, tightly linked to the surrounding nature is expected to
bring Östersund's distinctive profile as a gastronomic city to an
international level."

Korea now also boasts 'City of Design' Seoul, recognised for its
design education practices and commitment to highlighting the
importance of design to the public.